Avalon's eco-friendly operation practices
- To date, we have diverted from landfills approximately 2,000,000 lbs of used carpet and pad per year.
- We have retro-fitted lighting in nine of our buildings from
inefficient metal halide lights to super efficient T8 fixtures. The new
fixtures use 53% less electricity.
- Two new 2011 tractor trailers have been added to our fleet of
commercial vehicles. Both run on ultra low sulfur diesel fuel, produce
very little emissions and get better MPG.
- Larger vans have been replaced with new smaller Transit Connect
vehicles that average close to 25 MPG further reducing fuel consumption
and emissions.
- Truck running schedules were streamlined to minimize the number of Avalon trucks on the road.
- In our warehouses and distribution centers we have converted
from emission producing propane forklifts to all electric lifts, which
are charged with high frequency chargers that consume less power than
traditional ones.
- In all warehouse aisles we have installed motion sensors that turn lights off when there is no activity in that area.
- Programmable thermostats are used to conserve energy during and after office hours.
- We have implemented single source recycling of paper, cardboard,
plastic, glass and aluminum in our corporate headquarters to divert
material from landfills.
Avalon Carpet, Tile and Flooring understands the responsibility we have to care for our environment. Through our eco-friendly operation practices and selection of quality green flooring options, we are constantly striving to make better choices that will preserve our resources and reduce our environmental impact.
GREEN FLOORING OPTIONS
Bamboo Flooring
A member of the grass family, bamboo reaches maturity in only 6 years. When harvested, new bamboo stalks regenerate from its extensive root system making it renewable for generations to come. Not only is bamboo renewable, its also recyclable and biodegradable as well.
Cork Flooring
A member of the beech family, the cork oak tree grows in coastal regions of the Mediterranean. Unlike most trees where primary value is derived from the lumber of the trunk, cork is actually obtained from the bark of the tree and is able to harvested every 9 to 11 years.
Reclaimed Hardwood Flooring
Made from old barns, buildings, rural structures and other sustainable sources of reclaimed timber, reclaimed hardwood reduces a home or buildings environmental impact by using wood that would have previously gone to waste.
Laminate Flooring
Made of easily renewable species like pine and oak, laminate provides natural, exotic looks without the negative environmental impact. It is long lasting so fewer discarded floors end up in landfills and its easy maintenance does not require harsh chemicals for cleaning.
Carpet and Area Rugs
Wool is a renewable, biodegradable natural fiber. Carpet and area rugs made from wool have a longer life cycle that other fibers resulting in a smaller environmental footprint.
SmartStrand® with DuPont™ Sorona® renewably sourced polymer contains ingredients made from corn sugar - 37% of renewable resource. These renewably sourced ingredients replace ingredients that traditionally were derived from petroleum - a limited resource. Every seven yards of SmartStrand® with DuPont™ Sorona® renewably sourced polymer saves the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline.
EverStrand™ carpet fiber, made using PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is extruded from recycled plastic bottles, containing 100 percent post-consumer recycled content. PET bottles are sorted, ground into fine chips, and then cleaned. These chips are then melted and extruded into fiber and spun into carpet yarn. On average, 30 plastic bottles are recycled to make one square yard of EverStrand.
At the end of its useful life, carpet and area rugs constructed of Nylon 6 are recycled back into the raw materials needed to make new carpet and area rugs.
Ceramic Tile and Natural Stone
During the production process, 100% of unfired tile that is scrapped during production is used.
Storm water is trapped and treated to be used in production or ceramic tile and stone.
Premium natural stone comes from the earth and is inherently eco-friendly, with a longer replacement life than other surfaces. It is non-toxic, requires no chemicals during quarrying or fabrication, and void of any foreign substance that may be harmful to the earth.